Welcome to Predator Free Stokes Valley

About Predator Free Koraunui Stokes Valley

Our mission

Our mission is to help the Koraunui Stokes Valley community achieve the goal of making New Zealand Predator Free by 2050.

An estimated 68,000 native birds are killed in New Zealand by introduced predators every night. The Predator Free NZ Trust estimate roughly that having a trap in every 5th urban backyard is enough to create a safe environment for our native wildlife to flourish.

Imagine living in a suburb which resonates to a dawn chorus of birds each morning and in which tui, kereru, piwakawaka (fantails), korimako (bellbirds) and other native wildlife like skinks and geckos are a common sight. It's happening in other communities around New Zealand. Together as a community we can make it a reality in Stokes Valley too!!

Get Involved

Backyard trapping is easy and it has lots of benefits both for your garden and the native wildlife that visits it.

A backyard trap doesn't need to be fancy or expensive (we can supply you with one for a small koha). What's important is that households set and clear their traps regularly. We only ask that you report what you've trapped through to us once a fortnight.

Why aim to be predator free?

Rats, stoats, and possums kill approximately 25 million native birds every year. They are the most damaging mammalian predators that threaten New Zealand’s natural taonga, economy and primary sector.

Watch this short video to learn more.

What predators do we target?

Rats

Rats threaten the survival of many native species such as wētā, snails, lizards and birds. They eat almost anything, including our native species and their food sources. They are common agricultural, industrial and domestic predators, causing a great deal of economic damage and posing a risk to human health.

Stoats

Stoats (and other mustelids - weasels and ferrets) have caused the extinction of several New Zealand bird species and are the major cause of decline for many other species, including reptiles and invertebrates. They attack defenceless young kiwi and contribute to the continuing decline of mainland kiwi populations

Possums

Possums occur in high numbers and have a significant impact on many of New Zealand’s natural ecosystems. They are opportunistic omnivores which means they compete with native birds and reptiles for food sources.

The growth and life-cycle of a tree or plant is significantly affected when all parts of it are eaten. Possums also have ‘favourites’ such as rātā or kamahi trees, leading to an even greater impact on these species.

In 1993, possums were filmed eating the eggs and chicks of kōkako.

Dairy and deer farmers have the added worry of possums spreading bovine tuberculosis.

Donate

As a community based, non-profit group much of what do is only achievable through the generosity of our community. All donations are put towards purchasing the materials required to make traps or to raise awareness.